Marking device for index blanks



April 11, 1939. r. c. BROWN IARKING DEVICE FOR INDEX BLANKS Filed June30, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Thomas. CKBr-own "RI-7 M .4 TTORNEY pT. c. BROWN 2,154,029

IARKINGHDEVICE FOR INDEX BLANKS Filed June 30, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR Thomas C..Broivrz ATTORNEY April 11, 1939. l 1' c BROWN2,154,029

MARKING DEVICE FOR INDEX BLANKS Filed June 30, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INYVENTOR mamas CBrown A TTORNE y Patented Apr. 11, 1939 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE to Thomas A. Edis Incorporated, West Orange, N. J., acorporation of New Jersey Application June 30, 1934, Serial No. 733,212

'5 Claims.

This invention relates to marking devices for index blanks, such as maybe employed in connection with phonographs adapted for the recordation,or recordation and reproduction, of

5 dictation and the like.

In the use of such phonographs it is customary to provide, inassociation with each record blank on which recordation is to beeffected, an index blank on which the dictator at the time ofrecordation may make indications of the points of beginning and endingof any particular recording, the points at which error exists in therecording, etc. While for the broader purposes of the instant inventionthe index blank might in suitable cases be a portion of the recordblank, it is usually a separate paper or Celluloid strip. Withcylindrical records, for example, it is ordinarily of lengthapproximating that of the cylinder and is arranged to be held, bothduring recordation and during later reproduction, in predeterminedlongitudinal relationship to the record. As the recording or reproducingtool is moved longitudinally of the record a pointer or marking guide iscorrespondingly moved longitudinally along the face of the index strip;and when the tool is at a point of beginning or ending of dictation, apoint of error therein, or the like, the dictator is intendedappropriately to mark the index strip at the longitudinal position thenoccupied byv the marking guide. I

It is a broad object of the instant invention to provide, in phonographsof the class described, improved means for making indications ofparticular points in the recording.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in such phonographsimproved and convenient means for marking an index blank. I

It is still a further object -to provide marking means operable at willto mark an; index blank at a position positively corresponding to thepoint on the record occupied by the recording tool at the time ofmarking.

A further object is the provision of improved and ismple"marking meanswhereby there may be made on the index blank distinct indications ofdifferent classes of points in the recording.

A still further object is the provision of marking means wherein themarking device proper is conveniently accessible for adjustment,replacement and the like.

Other and allied objects will more fully appear from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

In such description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, ofwhich:-

Figure 1 is a partial elevational view of a phonograph equipped with anembodiment of my invention, the view being taken looking toward thecenter of the phonograph from a plane near the right-hand end; 5

Fig. 2 is a partial plan view of such phonograph so equipped, theleft-hand end of the phonograph appearing at the top of this figure;

Figs. 3 and 4 are partial elevational views, from the right-hand end ofthe phonograph, of the mentioned embodiment of my invention illustratingpositions assumed by certain of the parts in operation;

Figs. 5 and 6 are partial elevational views also from the right-hand endof the phonograph, of a second embodiment of my invention, Fig. 6illustrating positions assumed by certain of the parts in operation;

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross sections respectively taken along the lines 1-1and 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a partial elevational view similar to Fig. 5 but illustratingpart ofthe assembly rotated away from its normal position;

Fig. 10 is a partial elevationalview, also from the right-hand end ofthe phonograph, of a third embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of such third embodiment of myinvention;

Fig. 12 is a partial elevational view generally similar to Fig. 10, butillustrating positions assumed by certain of the parts in operation andshowing a few portions in section; and

Fig. 13'is a plan view of a cover for the index strip holdersuitable foremployment with either the second or third embodiment of my inventionand illustratedin connection with the third.

Referring now speciflcally't'o Figs. 1 and 2, there will be seen aportion of aphonograph of the class described to which my invention hasbeen applied. Briefly the pertinent portion of the phonograph may bedescribed as follows:

A base I is provided with suitable standards, such as 2 and 3. A shaft 4is journalled in the standard 3, and to this shaft is secured themandrel 5 on which may be placed a cylindrical record blank 6,hereinafter referred to simply as a record. The shaft 4, with mandrel 5and record 6, is adapted to be rotated by pulley 1 upon the engagementof clutch 8.. The pulley 1 is journalled to standard 2 and driven in anysuitable manner. The clutch 8 comprises the members 8' and 8",respectively secured to pulley 1 and splined to shaft 4, and isselectively engaged or disengaged by movement of member 8"longitudinally of shaft 4, which movement is produced at will byswinging of the arm 3.

Parallel to the shaft 4, and secured between standard 2 and anotherstandard not herein necessary to show, are the carriage rods Ill and I;along these rods is adapted to slide the carriage II. In the forwardportion of the carriage Ii is mounted the sound box I2 having thetubular flange i3 through which sound is passed-in recordation into, andin reproduction out oi, the sound box. The sound box is provided with arecording tool i4 and with a reproducing tool. The recording tool,neither tool, or the recording tool may be engaged at will with thesurface of a record 6 by adjusting the lever I5 to predeterminedpositions within the slot l6, which positions may be respectivelyidentified as recording, neutral and reproducing.

In the operation of the machine for recordation upon or reproductionfrom a record 6 the appropriate tool is intended to move longitudinallyof the record while the latter is being rotated. To produce suchlongitudinal motion, there is provided a feed screw ll parallel to shaft4 and rods l0 and I0, journalled to standard 2 and to a standard notherein necessary to show. This screw is rotated during rotation of shaft4 by the engagement of screw-borne gear I8 with shaft-borne gear "l9.Carried by the carriage II is a feed nut 20. This nut is adapted toengage the feed screw l1 whenever the lever i5 is ad-- justed to eitherrecording or reproducingpositions, and rotation of the mandrel will thenproduce a steady motion of the carriage and sound box, and hence of thetool, longitudinally of the record. It will be understod that themachine may be so arranged that when the lever I5 is adjusted to neutralposition and both recording and reproducing tools therefor out ofengagement with the record surface, the feed nut will be disengaged fromthe feed screw l1 and the carriage will remain stationary unlessmanually moved along the rods l0 and I0.

Secured to base i as by the bracket 2 i, and disposed in general belowand parallel to the path of movement of the forward extremity of thecarriage II, is an index strip holder 22, the edges 23 and end 23' ofwhich are folded over to provide grooves for retaining an index strip24. In the illustrated embodiments of my invention this strip is theindex blank upon which indications of points in a recording are to bemade, it being understood that upon removal of a record 6 from themandrel 5 the index strip then in the holder 22 will be removed and keptwith that record, a new strip being inserted in the holder with each newrecord placed upon the mandrel. The apparatus thus far described isitself known, and does not form a part of the instant inventionexcepting in combination with further elements described hereinafter.

According to my invention there is provided, for travel longitudinallyof the index blank, not a marking guide but a marking means. This isconveniently secured to the forward extremity of the carriage Ii, thusproviding the required correspondence of position with that o! therecording tool. Such marking means may take a variety of forms, of whichI have specifically illustrated three. The first is shown in Figs. 1, 2,3 and 4, and may be described as follows:

A bracket 3i is secured to the carriage ii underneath its forwardextremity, the main portion 3 i of the bracket extending forwardly anddownwardly from the carriage and in a vertical plane over the indexholder 22. The bracket is provided with four lugs, extending rightwardlyat right angles from the portion 3i; these lugs are shown as 32 and 33extending from the top, and 32' and 33' extending from the bottom, ofthe portion 3 l'. The lugs 32 and 32 are disposed in general over therear of the holder 22, while lugs 33 and 33 are disposed in general overthe front of the holder 22. Above the top lugs, and with its flattenedextremities respectively secured thereto, may be provided an arcuatestrip 34. The means securing the strip 34 to the top lugs mayconveniently be the pins 35 and 36, which extend through the top lugs 32and 33 to the bottom lugs 32' and 33', respectively. These pins may besecure with respect to the lugs and the arcuate strip, and form guidingmeans for a pencil mount 31. This mount is in the form of a plate, andis guided by pins 35 and 36 as these pins respectively pass throughholes 39 and 40 therein, which holes are elongated forwardly andrearwardly of the phonograph-i. e., in a direction normal to that of themotion of carriage ii. The mount 31 may be termed floating, as it issupported by the compression springs 4| and 42, respectively surroundingthe pins 35 and 36 above the bottom lugs 32' and 33. Normally thesesprings bias the mount 31 to a position of contact with the top lugs 32and 33-i. e. to a position illustrated in Fig. 1. In this position themount is parallel to an index blank 24 held by the 'holder 22, thebracket 3i and its lugs being thereto suitably arranged.

A slot 38 is provided longitudinally of the armate strip 34i. e. in aplane normal to the direction of carriage movement. This slot forms aguiding means for the marking device proper. which is illustrated aspencil 43 passing through the slot, the slot being preferably just wideenough to permit movement of the pencil therein. The pencil is assembledto the mount 31 by passage through a central hole therein; and althoughthe pencil is ordinarily in perpendicular relationship to the mount,this hole is made enough larger than the pencil to permit a slightdisplacement oi the latter from such relationship. Flanges 44 and 45 aresecured to the pencil 43, the first above and the second below the mount31, and between the mount and the flange 45 is provided compressionspring 46; this normally maintains the flange 44 in contact with themount and the pencil perpendicular to the mount. Under this condition,and with the mount in its normal position of contact with the top lugs32 and 33, the tip 43 of the pencil is spaced slightly above an indexstrip 24 held by the holder 22.

The mount 31 is provided with a forward extension 31, as seen in eitherFig. 3 or Fig. 4, and may conveniently terminate in a finger button orkey 31". Since the mount is floatingly supported it will be moved byeither downward or upward pressure on the key. If downward pressure beexerted, the mount will pivot about the lug 32,. or its own rearextremity, and will move downwardly along pin 34 against the pressure ofspring 42. If upward pressure be exerted on the key, the mount willpivot about the lug 33, and will move downwardly along the pin 35against the pressure of spring 4i. In either case the elongation oi theholes 39 and 40 obviates Jamming of the mount on the pins 35 and 33.

The extreme position to which the mount may be moved by downwardpressure on the key is illustrated in Fig. 3. As the mount is moved andbackward pressures on the top of pencil from normal position toward thisextreme position the pencil point 43' is first swung in an are about thelug 32 until it contacts with the index blank at a point on the latterslightly behind the point toward which the pencil is normally directed,and at the time of contact the pencil will be inclined forwardly fromperpendicular to. the index blank. As themount is further moved inresponseto the downward key pressure the pencil spring 46 will begin tocompress. This spring however at all times urges the pencil point awayfrom the central portion of the mount: and the point, although preventedfrom further moving downwardly by the index blank, and from movingsidewardly by the sides of the pencil guiding slot 38, is permitted tomove transversely of the index blank or strip 24. The inclination of thepen cil being forward of perpendicular to the index blank, the pencilpoint will move rearwardly-along the blank, the pencil pivoting aboutthe forward edge of the flange 44 and its upper portion moving forwardlyof the slot 38-1. e., in a plane normal to the direction of carriagemovement. Thus a transverse line is made on the rear portion of theindex blank; this is illustrated by the line 48 in Fig. 2, it beingunderstood that this represents a line made with the carriage Iioccupying a more rightward position (i.. e., a position lower on thesheet) than it is illustrated as occupying in the figure.

Consideration now being given to the case of upward pressure on the key31", the extreme position to which the mount may be moved by suchpressure is illustrated in Fig. 4. As the .mount is moved from normalposition toward this extreme position the pencil point again swings inan arc until it contacts with the index blank, but in this case the arcis about the lug 33. The pencil point will therefore contact with theindex blank at a point on the latter slightly forward of the point towhich the pencil is normally directed, and at the time of contact thepencil will be inclined rearwardly from perpendicular to the indexblank. These eiTects are the converse of those described for downwardkey pressure, and indeed the further effects of upward key pressure areexactly theconverse of the corresponding eiiects of downward pressure.Thus by the upward pressure a transverse line is made on the forwardportion of the index blank; this has been illustrated by the line 49 inFig. 2..

Since points of beginning and ending and points of error are frequentlythe two classes of recording points indications of which are desirable,I contemplate that the downward and upward key pressures ma:respectively be employed for these two clases. Accordingly in the Fig. 4I have. shown the key 31" inscribed with the legend Length Down,Corrections Up, and in Fig. 2 have shown an index blank 24 theretoappropriately printed. It will be understood. however, that thisillustration is not to be taken in a limitative sense, the distinctionbetween the markings effected by downward and upward key pressures beingbroadly useful for distinction between any two classes of recordingpoints of which indications may be desired. It may fur ther be notedthat if desired the top of the pencil itself, rather than the key 31",may be manipulated for marking of the index blank; if the pencil spring46 is made of suflicient strength (relative to springs 4i and") tomaintain the pencil perpendicular to the 'mount until the point 43contacts with the index blank, simple forward will respectivelyduplicate the effects of downward and upward pressure on the key.Further if desired the marking of one class of points may be effected bypressure on the key-say downward-while marking of the other class isaffected by pressure on the pencil top-say rearward.

A second embodiment of my invention, wherein separate marking means areprovided for each of two distinct markings of the index blank, isillustrated in Figs. 5. 6, 7, 8 and 9. In this embodiment there is againsecured underneath the forward portion of the carriage il a bracketextending forwardly and in a vertical plane over the index holder; thisbracket may be of simpler form, however, than the bracket 3| of earlierfigures, and is identified in Figs. through 9 as 5i. Parallel to themain portion 5| of this bracket, and pivoted thereto as at 52, isprovided a flat bar 53 having longitudinal grooves 53 along its twolonger edges. While the bar 53 may be moved about its pivot 52' to suchangular position as is illustrated in Fig. 9, it normally occupies theposition illustrated in Figs. 5 through 8 in which position it may bemaintained by the thumb screw 54 removably threaded into the bar througha hole in the bracket portion 5i. A plate 55 is adapted to rest againstthe face of bar 53 on the opposite side of the bar from the bracket 5|,55 being provided with doubly folded over edges 55 which are adapted toengage the grooves 53' in bar 53. Thus the plate 55 may be slid intoplace against bar 53; it may be there secured by means of the screw 55threaded into the bar through a hole 56' in the plate. The hole 56 ispreferably slightly elongated to permit a precise adjustment, forwardand rearward of the phonograph, of the plate 55; this plate may beconsidered a vertical base, ordinarily overhanging the index stripholder 22 and stationary with respect to the carriage ii, to which areassembled the operating portions of the second embodiment of myinvention.

In this embodiment two marking devices proper, or pencils 51 and 58, areprovided respectively supportedin individual mounts 59 and 60. Thesemounts are conveniently in the form of tubes of rectangular crosssection, the larger internal dimension of the rectangle being arrangednortact with the forward walls of their respective.

mounts by the respective leaf springs 63 and 64, which may be terminallysecured to the outside rear walls of the mounts and may pass through therespective apertures 65 and 66 therein to press against the pencils. Thepoints 51' and 58 of the respective pencils protrude through the bottomsof the respective mounts, and it will be appreciated that by a suitablydirected force the points and pencils themselves may be swung rearwardlywithin their respective mounts, about the.

pivot screws 6! and 82 and against the forces of springs 63 and 64. sThe pencil mounts are supported to the pla 55 above mentioned with theaxis of each pencil parallel to and equally spaced from that plate, witheach such pencil axis (when in the mentioned normal relationship to itsmount) inclined slightly forward of perpendicular to an index strip 24held by the holder 22, and with the two such axes respectively directedto forward and rearward portions of the index strip. In order that themounts be movable in the approximate direction of the pencil axes, theyare respectively provided with longitudinally extending flanges 61a--6lband 6811-4819 which may if desired, as illustrated, comprise in eachmount extensions of one of the two wider walls. These flanges areslidably retained in the grooved member 68, which is rigidly secured tothe plate 55. An urge to upward motion is imparted to the pencil mountsby the tension springs H and I2 respectively secured between lowerportions of the mounts and the lugs 13 and 14 formed from an upperportion of the grooved member 69. This upward motion is limited by theimpingement of lugs 15 and 16 respectively formed from the bottoms ofthe mounts, against the tops of the slots 11 and 18 provided in thegrooved member 69. The tops of the slots 11 and 18 are so located thatthe upward motion of each mount is terminated when the associated pencilpoint is slightly spaced above an index strip 24 held by the holder 22.

At the tops of the pencil mounts 59 and B0 are preferably securedfinger-pieces or keys 59 and 60 respectively, the rear mount 59 beingconveniently of slightly greater height to permit most convenient accessto its key 59. Pressure on either key sufficient to overcome the tensionof the respective spring H or 12 will be understood to produce motion ofthe associated pencil mount downwardly in the grooved member 89, whichmotion will promptly carry the associated pencil point into contact withthe index strip 24. Were the pencil axis exactly perpendicular to theindex strip 24 at the time of this contact, all further key pressurewould be simply pressure of the pencil point perpendicularly against thestrip,

and neither pencil nor mount could further move in response to thepressure. The pencil axis being inclined somewhat forwardly ofperpendicular to the strip 24, however, further key pressure (in excessof that required to overcome spring H or 12) divides at the pencil pointinto two componentsone downwardly perpendicular to the strip 24 and theother rearwardly along the surface of the strip-the second being greaterin relation to the first, the greater the deviation of the pencil axisfrom perpendicular to the strip. A pencil movement within the mountabout the pivot Si or 82 can and does occur in response to the second ofthese force components, up to the limit provided by the rear bottom edgeof the mounts, there being of course an attendant slight furtherdownward movement of the mount itself. Thus the pencil point is movedrearwardly along the surface of the index strip 24, making a transversemark thereon. The strength of the leaf spring 63 or 64, together withthe angular relations of pencil axis and strip, determines the minimumrequired values of the second force component above mentioned, and thesein turn establish the values of the first force component throughout therearward motion of the point. The pencil point pressures on the stripare of course these first force component values, and

they can therefore be established at or above the minimum required fordependable marking of the strip by sufficiently tensioning the leafspring 83 or 84.

The limit to which the mount and pencil point motion may be carried isillustrated for the rear pencil in Fig. 6, the dotted line 51" denotingthe approximate path of motion of the pencil point 51'. The pencil 51 isadapted to make a transverse llne upon the rear portion, and the pencil58 a similar line upon the front portion of the index strip or blank 24;such lines have been respectively illustrated as 18 and in Fig. 8, itbeing understood that these represent lines made with the marking systemoccupying a more rightward position (i. e., one lower in the sheet) thanthat which it is illustrated as occupying in that figure. As in the caseof the first embodiment, lines in the rear portion of the index stripmay, if desired, be used for indicating lengths and those on the frontportion for indicating corrections. In this case the key 58' may belabelled L the key 60 labelled C, and the strip 24 thereto appropriatelyprinted.

The desirability of the pivoting of bar 53 to the bracket 5| at 52 isillustrated in Fig. 9. Herein the thumb screw 54 has been removed: andthe bar 53, with the thereto secured plate 55, guide member 69, pencilmounts 58 and 60, etc. has been rotated about the pivot 52 to render thepencil points 51 and 58' convenient of access, as for purposes of pointreplacement and the like. Upon such rotation of the bar 52 about thepivot 52 a portion of the apparatus assembled to the bar 53-e. g., thegrooved member 69-will impinge upon the front edge 23 of the indexholder 22 to limit the rotation. The point of pivoting is convenientlyso chosen that this limitation will occur when the pencil points 51' and58 are upwardly directed and thus most convenient of access; thisobviates the necessity of holding the assembly during the operation ofpoint replacement.

In the third embodiment of my invention, which is illustrated in Figs.10 et seq., there are again employed two pencils. One of the principalpoints of difference, however, from the second embodiment lies in thepencil mounts, which are of different form and differently supported tothe carriage. In this embodiment a bracket is again secured underneaththe forward extremity of the carriage ll, its main portion extending ina vertical plane forwardly over the index strip holder. This bracket maybe essentially similar to the bracket 5| of the second embodiment, andis shown in Figs. l0, l1 and 12 as II, with main portion 8|. The indexstrip holder in these figures is denoted by the numeral 22a, it beingoptionally of slightly modified design from the previously describedholder 22 and being hereinafter more fully explained. A generallyL-shapecl plate 82 is pivotally assembled near the extremity of one ofits arms 82 to the forward part of the bracket portion 8i, as at 83, toswing in a plane parallel to that bracket portion. The plate 82 maynormally be retained with its arm 82 in contact with the main bracketportion M by the removable thumb screw 84 threaded into the platethrough the bracket. When the plate is so retained its other arm 82 willextend upwardly from the bracket. To the plate 82 are assembled thepencil mounts, pencils, etc. in this third embodiment.

The forward pencil mount 85 may comprise two parallel strips 85' eachformed with a downwardly offset rear portion 85" and held in mutuallyspaced relationship by the forwardly disto the plate 82; and an urge toupward motion,

or clockwise rotation as illustrated, about its pivot is imparted to themount 85 by the torsion spring 88 surrounding the pivot post 81 andterminally secured to post 88 on the plate arm 82 and to a post 88'secured to a lug 88" depending from one of the strips 85'. This upwardmotion or rotation is limited by the impingement of the top edge of oneof the offset rear strip portions 85 against a horizontal lug 8I formedat the top of the plate arm 82"; and in the limit of such motion themount 85 occupies its normal position, extending, as illustrated injiig.10, forwardly of the plate arm 82" and ove'i the index strip holder 22a.

The rear pencil mount 88 is generally r to the mount 85, and maycomprise two paral el strips 86' having downwardly offset rear portions.88" and being held in mutually spaced relationship by the forwardlydisposed cross-member 86", which may form a key for manipulation of thismount. The strips 86' are pivoted at their rear offset portions 88" tothe pivot post 81, already described, between the strips 85' of themount 85; the' strips 88' are therefore more closely spaced to eachother than are the strips 85'-in other words, the mount 88 is, as todimension longitudinally of the phonograph, movable within the mount 85.The strips 88 are about the pivot 81 without interference by cross-.member or key 851", and are widened at their forward extremities toraise the key 86" preci'ably above the level of the key 85". An urge toupward'motion, -or clockwise rotation as illustrated, about the pivot 81is imparted to the mount 88 by the torsion spring 88 surrounding thepivot post 81 and terminally secured to the post 88 already mentionedand to a post 88' provided on one of the strips 88'. This upward motionor rotation is limited, asin the case of the mount 85, by theimpingement of the top edge of one of the rear offset portions 86"against the lug 8I already mentioned; and in the limit of such motionthe mount 88 occupies its normal position, extending, as illustrated inFig. 10, forwardly of the plate arm 82" and generally parallel to themount 85 when the latter occupies its normal position.

The forward pencil 93 is pivoted at its upper extremity to thehorizontal pivot stud 85 passed between the strips 85 underneath thecrossmember or key 85", while the rear pencil 84 is pivoted at its upperextremity to the horizontal pivot stud 86 passed between the strips 88'underneath the cross-member or key 88". The two pencils are thus bothdisposed and also movable in a single plane normal to the direction ofcarriage motion. Urges to forward motion, or clockwise rotation asillustrated, about their respective pivots are imparted to the pencils83 and 84 by the respective springs 81 and 88, passing around therespective pivot studs in respective slots 88 and I88 in the pencil topsand terminally impinging upon the respective pencils and the respectivecross-members or keys 85" and 86". These clockwise rotations of thepencils are limited by the respective guides IM and I82 which, when themounts are in their normal positions, maintain the pencils in normalpositions inclined slightly forwardly of perpendicular to an index strip24 held by the holder 22a and respectively directed to the forward andrear portions of the strip 24. The guides IM and I82 are of U-shapedcross section and are each secured to the plate arm 82' with one side ofthe UI8I' and I82'against that plate. The internal width of each U isjust enough greater than the pencii diameter to permit free movement ofthe pencil therewithin. It will be understood that in their normalpositions the pencils respectively impinge upon the bases of the Us-I8I"and I82.

The basic principles of operation of the third embodiment of theinvention are quite similar to those of the second, the principalexception vbeing that pressure on either key in the third embodimentproduces a pivotal, rather than a sliding, movement of the associatedpencil mount. By key pressure the respective pencil is moved downwardly,still impinging upon the base IN or I82 01' the U, until the point ofthe pencil-83' 84', contacts with the index strip 24; further Thepivotal assembly of the plate 82 to the main bracket portion'8I' at 83permits the plate, upon removal of the thumb screw 84, to be rotatedcounterclockwise to such a position as is dottedly illustrated in Fig.12, this obviously rendering the pencil points easy of access.

The index holder 22a shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 is illustrated to showa modification of desigm. which is equally applicable to any twopencilembodiment-e. g.,to the second embodiment illustrated and described inthis application. The completely folded-over edges 23 and end 23' of thepreviously illustrated holder are dispensed with, and there issubstituted therefor a top 25 parallel with and slightly spaced from thebottom surfaceof the holder, providing a slot 25' into which the indexstrip 24 may be slid, for example from the right. The top 25seen alonein Fig. 13is provided with longitudinal apertures 26 and 21, throughwhich the respective pencils 83 and 84 may reach the front and rearportions of an index strip 24 with the carriage II at any of itspossible longitudinal positions. The top 25 may be printed withappropriate legends; and since the index strips are always placed in theslot 25 in similar relationship to the top 25, no legends on theindividual index 1 strips are required. Additional small apertures, as28, 28, 28" and 28", may also be provided in the top 25, to the side ofthe apertures 28 and 21, through which as with a loose pencil may bemade notations (other than recording point indications) appropriate toeach individual index strip. If desired there may be provided along thefront of each or either of the apertures 28 and 21 a flange formedupwardly from the top 25; such a flange has been illustrated as 28 alongthe front of the rear aperture 21. This may assist or if desired replacethe previously described means for limiting forward motion of thecorresponding pencil about its pivot 85 or 88. It may further be notedthat in the absence of other means therefor specially provided, therearward movement of the pencil points along the index strip in responseto key pressure may be limited by the impingement of the points againstthe rear edgesZG and 21 oi. the apertures 26 and 21, respectively.

While I contemplate no limitation of the broader aspects of my inventionto use with lead pencils or any particular form of pencil or markingmeans proper, I have preferred to employ, in carrying out my invention,lead pencils of an automatically adjusting type. Such a type has beenspecifically illustrated by the cross sectional showing of pencil 93 inFig. 12, it being understood, however, that other pencils in the variousembodiments of my invention may also be of this type. Reference beinghad to this pencil in Fig. 12, the top of the pencil is seen as III;this is provided with the slot 98 and spring 51 and is pivoted to thestud 95, all as above described. The top III is provided with theshoulder H2, and the casing II3 of the pencil is fitted around the topup to this shoulder and then pinned to the top, as by pin Ill. Thecasing is tapered to a reduced diameter at its lower extremity III, andthere provided with an axial hole I I6 0! appreciably smaller diameterthan the inside di-' ameter of the casing proper. A lead holder III, ofgenerally T-shaped cross-section, is adapted to slide within this hole,the top of the T slidably fitting the inside of the casing proper. Thelead holder is provided with a small axial hole III adapted to hold alead HQ with slight friction (sufficient to overcome the force ofgravity on the lead), and freely to admit a thin plunger I20 secured atits upper extremity to the center oi the top I I I. Between the top-I II and the lead holder Ill, and surrounding the plunger I20, is acompression spring I2I which, when the pencil is out of contact with theindex strip 24, urges the lead holder to the most outward positionpermitted by the head 01 the T. The plunger will then protrude into thelead holder to a minimum extent.

The lead I I9 is inserted under these conditions. As long as the lead isof length sufficient to reach from the end of the plunger to a slightdistance beyond the lower tip of the lead holder, the holder will remainduring operation of the pencil in its most outward position with respectto the pencil casing, and the lead will obviously be backed up by theplunger and thus adapted to mark the index strip. As the lead wears,however, it will no longer project beyond the tip of the lead holderwhen the lead holder is normally maintained in its most outward positionunder ten sion of the spring I 2|. The lead holder, however, is movablewithin the casing upwardly against the force of spring HI, and inoperation the lead holder will, after the lead has worn suificiently,upon depression of the key such as engage the strip and thus be forcedto move inwardly and against the tension of spring I2I so that the upperend of the lead contacts with the bottom of the plunger and the lowerend of the lead will thus be exposed for contact with the index strip,under which conditions the lead is obviously adapted to mark the strip.It should be noted, however, that the spring I2I should be weak enough,in relation to spring 91, to cause the mentioned upward motion 01' thelead holder in the casing before the pencil begins to move rearwardlyabout its pivot against the force of spring 91.

It will be understood that while I have disclosed my invention in termsof specific embodiments thereof, I intend no limitation or its broaderaspects by virtue of the details of those embodiments, and that thescope of the invention Is intended to be expressed in the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, including a holder for anindex blank and a support arranged for travel thereover: a mount carrideby said support, arranged for movement relative to said support andtransverse to said travel; means biasing said mount to a predeterminedposition relatlve to said support; and marking means, yieldablyconnected with said mount for rotational movement relative thereto,responsive to said mount movement to move rota: tionallyrelative to saidmount and transversely across and with pressure against a blank in saidholder.

2. In apparatus of the character described, including a holder for anindex blank and a support arranged for travel thereover: a mount carriedby said support, arranged for movement relative to said support andtransverse to said travel; means biasing said mount to a predeterminedposition relative to said support; and marking means, yieldablyconnected with said mount for rotational movement relative thereto,responsive to said mount movement to move rotationally relative to saidmount and transversely across said blank with a force thereagainst whichis initially slightly inclined from perpendicular to a blank in saidholder.

3. In apparatus of the character described, including a holder for anindex blank and a support arranged for travel thereover: a mount carriedby said support, arranged for movement relative to said support andtransverse to said travel; means biasing said mount to a predeterminedposition relative to said support; and marking means, yieldablyconnected with said mount for rotational movement relative thereto,responsive to said mount movement first to contact a blank in saidholder and then to move rotationally relative to said mount andtransversely across a blank in said holder.

4. In apparatus of the character described, including a holder for anindex blank and a support arranged for travel thereover: a mount carriedby said support arranged for movement relative to said support andtransverse to said travel and biased to a predetermined positionrelative to said support; a finger-piece, secured to said mount, forefiecting said movement thereof; and marking means, yieldably connectedwith said mount for rotational movement relative thereto, responsive tosaid mount movement to move rotationally relative to said mount andtransversely across and with pressure against a blank in said holder.

5. In apparatus of the character described, including a holder for anindex blank and a support arranged for travel thereover: a mount carriedby said support and arranged for rocking movement in a plane transverseof said travel in each of two angular directions; means biasing saidmount away from said holder; and marking means, yieldably connected withsaid mount, responsive to said mount movement in one angular directionto move relative to said mount and in one transverse direction acrossand with pressure against said blank, and responsive to said mountmovement in the other angular direction to move relative to said mountand in an opposite transverse direction across and with pressure againsta blank in said holder.

THOMAS C. BROWN.

I CERTIFICATE OF COHRECTION.- Patent No. 2,15l ,o29. April 11, 19 9..

- I moms 0." BROWN. It is hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows: Page 1, first column, line M for "ismple' reed simple; page2, first. column, "line 13, for "recording" second occurrence, reedreproducing; line 36, for 'umierstocl" readfunderstood; page}, firstcolumn, line 58, tor "clases' reed classes; and that the said Lettersfatent dpouldbe read with this correction there in, that the same mayconform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of June, A. 'D. 1939.

Henry Van Arsda'le (Seal) 7 Acting Commissioner of Patents.

I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2 ,15L 029. April 11, 19 9.-

e moms 0." BROWN. 7 It i e'hereby certified that error appears in theprinted specification of the above numbered patent requiring correctionas follows: Page 1, first column, line 1 11,, for "ismple" read simple;page 2, first columnyline 15, for "recording" second occurrence, readreproducing; 'line 36, for "underetod" readimderetood; page 3, firetcolumn, line SB, for "olaaee' reed classes; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with thie correction there--' in; that the samemay conform to the recordof the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of June, A 'D, 1959'.

Henry Van Arsdale' (Seal) Acting Connnieeioner of Patents.-

